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Latest News
HSBC Canada Women's Sevens 2022
4 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Black Ferns Sevens renew riveting rivalry with Australia on HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Australia wrapped up the 2022 Series title in Langford, but the Black Ferns Sevens left Canada with plenty to celebrate as they begin a busy period.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Tue 3 May, 2022
4 min read
Madagascar Women's Sevens
3 min read

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022: Madagascar latest team to book ticket to Cape Town

Following another intense weekend of qualifying action we now know the identity of 12 women's and 20 men's teams who will compete at RWC Sevens 2022.

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Mon 2 May, 2022
3 min read
HSBC Spain Sevens Seville 2022 - Women's
4 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe keen to drive Ireland onto Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

We spoke to the prolific Ireland star about backing up the team’s success in Seville and plotting their path to Cape Town in September.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Tue 26 April, 2022
4 min read
Rugby World Cup Sevens San Francisco 2018 - Day Two
5 min read

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Everything you need to know about Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Your guide to RWC Sevens 2022, which will take place in Cape Town between 9-11 September this year.

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Fri 8 April, 2022
5 min read
Dubai Emirates Airline Rugby Sevens 2021 - Men's
3 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Perfection, not silverware, the focus for South Africa and Selvyn Davids

We caught up with the Blitzboks star, who has helped guide his side to the top of the men’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series standings as the countdown continues to their home Rugby World Cup Sevens.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Tue 5 April, 2022
3 min read
2018 Highlights
Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018
08:29 mins

Highlights: New Zealand win big in San Francisco

New Zealand retained their Rugby World Cup Sevens title in San Francisco
Mon 23 July, 2018
08:29 mins
Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018
07:03 mins

Highlights: New Zealand women's win Rugby World Cup Sevens

Check out all the top action as New Zealand win The Rugby World Cup Sevens in San Francisco
Sun 22 July, 2018
07:03 mins
Rugby World Cup Sevens San Francisco 2018 - Day Two
06:30 mins

HIGHLIGHTS: Men's semi-finals confirmed after thrilling day two

Men's semi-finals confirmed after thrilling day two of action at Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018 #RWC7s
Sun 22 July, 2018
06:30 mins
Rugby World Cup Sevens San Francisco 2018 - Day One
06:51 mins

Highlights: Men's quarter-finals decided

Men's quarter-finals of Rugby World Cup Sevens decided after incredible first day at AT&T Park
Sat 21 July, 2018
06:51 mins
Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018
06:26 mins

Highlights: Women's semi-finals confirmed at Rugby World Cup Sevens

Championship semi-finals confirmed after thrilling day one of action
Sat 21 July, 2018
06:26 mins
Six Nations U20
Thursday 03 February, 2022
4 min read

Byron Hayward enjoying life back as Wales U20 coach

Ahead of the start of the Six Nations U20 Championship we caught up with the returning Wales coach.
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Byron Hayward is relishing the opportunity to shape the next generation of Welsh talent having gone back to the future ahead of the men’s Six Nations U20 Championship 2022.

Former Scarlets and Wales defence coach Hayward was appointed lead age grade coach by the Welsh Rugby Union in December and will oversee his country’s U20 Championship campaign.

Hayward was part of the U20 coaching staff for three years prior to joining the Scarlets in 2014 and created fond memories as he helped develop a host of full internationals, including current back-row star Ellis Jenkins.

As he prepares his squad for their opening Six Nations U20 2022 match against Ireland in Cork on Friday, Hayward says that development – both of his players and coaching staff – will be a key tenet of his tenure.

📢 WALES U20 squad announcement 📢

Byron Hayward has named his side to face Ireland at Musgrave Park on Friday in opening game of the #U20SixNations

FULL STORY | ⬇️https://t.co/u0otbBiWOO pic.twitter.com/hpIAG8P4VG

— Welsh Rugby Union 🏉 (@WelshRugbyUnion) February 2, 2022

“In terms of my coaching career, there's nothing more satisfying than seeing young boys aspire to and achieve their dreams,” Hayward told World Rugby.

“The likes of Ken [Owens], Jonathan [Davies] and Rob [Evans], etc you're actually seeing them do that at U20 level and they go on and in Ken's and Jon’s case, they become British Lions. There is nothing more rewarding from a coaching perspective.

“So, I guess why it's different for me now is my motives are different than they probably were eight to 10 years ago when I was aspiring to go on to coach a regional team and coach as high as I could.

“Well, I've done that, so my motives for being here right now are to enjoy what I do, first and foremost, and help other coaches develop who are on the same journey as I was then.

“We've got coaches with us now, who are in their early to mid-30s and [I want to] help them progress and help the players progress.”

“It’s achievable because it’s been done”

Hayward enjoyed five successful years with the Scarlets, in which they won the 2016-17 PRO12 title and reached the European Champions Cup semi-finals the following season, before leaving to join the senior Wales set-up under Wayne Pivac.

That move did not work out as Hayward had hoped but he remains in regular contact with Pivac, who he says is “very hands-on with the pathway”.

Christ Tshiunza is the latest player to make the step up to the senior squad and Hayward uses him and other World Rugby U20 Championship graduates he has worked with as an example to his current group.

“If I stand up in front of them and say, 'Boys, look, in a few years’ time, you're going to be playing in the national stadium, in the Six Nations, in the next World Cup’… they don't believe it,” he said.

“But when you put the pictures up on the PowerPoint and there's so many, I think the penny drops then.

“So, yes, we do use that definitely as a motivational tool, but also something that they know is achievable and it's not just fresh air, you know, I’m not just saying that.

“It is actually achievable because it's been done, it's factual.”

Balancing act

Since winning the Six Nations U20 Grand Slam in 2016, Wales have not finished higher than third and won two of five matches during last year’s Championship, which was held at Cardiff Arms Park due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hayward believes the key to success this season will come in finding the right balance between performances on the pitch and long-term development off it.

“When you're in professional sport, elite professional sport, it is all about winning. It's just purely results,” he said. “But I think our programme is a 50-50, where it's performance and development.

“Of course, we are performing and we're going out there to win every game, but we also have to have an eye as well – that's what I'm promoting with our coaches – to see the long-term for the player. What's best for the player?

“And we utilise our squad so we don't just use the same players every game like you would if you were in a professional environment, for example. You play your best team every week because you have to win every week.

“Now, of course, we have to win every week, but we also have a duty to develop players as well and give other players game time.”

“I was so happy for him”

Hayward admits he did not always get that balance right during his previous stint as Wales U20 coach, and points to a 67-7 defeat to England in 2014 as a particularly painful lesson about squad rotation.

He believes that success on the pitch and development off it often goes hand-in-hand. “Part of the process is to give these players a winning mindset,” Hayward said.

But it is watching the players he has coached at age-grade level make the leap onto the test stage that has given him some of his happiest and proudest memories in rugby.

“I watched Kirby Myhill come on for Wales against New Zealand (in October), I was sat in the house watching on my own, and I felt an unbelievable amount of joy… I was so happy for him,” Hayward said.

“I wouldn’t imagine Kirby ever thought it was going to happen now because he’ll be 30 [on Saturday].

“Trophies and winning are an added bonus for me but as many of those players that I can help achieve their dreams, that is the number one priority for me and for the coaches as well that are working with us.

“I want to make sure the environment is one where we enjoy coming to work and the culture is right.

“You can have a culture of ego or a culture of growth and development. The growth and development one is important for me.”

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about the men’s Six Nations U20 Championship 2022 >>

Trending News Show all
2018 Commonwealth Games women's final
3 min read

Commonwealth Games

All the build-up to rugby sevens at the Commonwealth Games 2022

Now that the line-ups are complete in both the men’s and women’s tournaments, we take a look at who has won gold in the past and the sides competing to add their names to the roll call of honour in July.

Commonwealth Games

Wed 11 May, 2022
3 min read
Madagascar qualify for rugby world cup sevens
4 min read

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Discipline and hard work at the heart of Madagascar's success on the road to Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

The Madagascar women's sevens team has achieved their historic dream of qualifying for a Rugby World Cup Sevens tournament for the first time. At the heart of this achievement lies a lot of hard work, determination and discipline.

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Wed 11 May, 2022
4 min read
HSBC Canada Women's Sevens 2022
4 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Seven women’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series players to watch in Toulouse

Following an exciting weekend in Langford we look at seven women’s stars who could light up Toulouse between 20-22 May.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Thu 5 May, 2022
4 min read
HSBC Canada Women's Sevens 2022
4 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Black Ferns Sevens renew riveting rivalry with Australia on HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Australia wrapped up the 2022 Series title in Langford, but the Black Ferns Sevens left Canada with plenty to celebrate as they begin a busy period.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Tue 3 May, 2022
4 min read
Madagascar Women's Sevens
3 min read

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022: Madagascar latest team to book ticket to Cape Town

Following another intense weekend of qualifying action we now know the identity of 12 women's and 20 men's teams who will compete at RWC Sevens 2022.

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Mon 2 May, 2022
3 min read
HSBC Canada Women's Sevens 2022
7 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Australia clinch overall 2022 series title while late Lily Dick try gives them Cup win in Langford

Hosts Canada took fifth place while Ireland flyer Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe bagged 12 tries as they won bronze in the HSBC Canada Sevens in Langford.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Mon 2 May, 2022
7 min read
HSBC Canada Women's Sevens 2022
5 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Australia edge towards HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series glory in Langford as New Zealand provide thrills on return

Australia are closing in on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series title after a perfect start to the penultimate event of the season in Canada, while the Black Ferns came back with a bang at the Starlight Stadium.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Sun 1 May, 2022
5 min read
HSBC Canada Women's Sevens 2022
3 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Captains on top of the world ahead of the HSBC Canada Women's Sevens in Langford

The HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series returns to the home of Rugby Canada after a 1,083 day break as Australia look to clinch their first Series title since to 2018.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Fri 29 April, 2022
3 min read
Santiago Gómez Cora
5 min read

rugby sevens

Santiago Gómez Cora: “You have to be patient, trust a lot and do the hard work”

World Rugby caught up with Los Pumas Sevens coach about Argentina’s recent win in the HSBC Canada Sevens and what it means to him going forward.

rugby sevens

Thu 28 April, 2022
5 min read
Charlotte Caslick
3 min read

HSBC Sevens Series

Series title within Australia’s reach as the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series returns to Langford

We spoke to Australia co-captain Charlotte Caslick about her team's mindset heading into this weekend's HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series stop in Langford knowing they can wrap up the series title.

HSBC Sevens Series

Wed 27 April, 2022
3 min read
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